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Thursday, February 9, 2012

Finished Vogue 8640 (a.k.a. "Suits Gone Wild")

I started this little ensemble several weeks ago. The impetus was the purchase of this amazing merino wool in my favorite color: bright reddish-pink. The pattern is V8640, which was sort of an experimental look for me: I love this kind of high-waisted skirt, but the jacket is boxier than I usually go for. But the illustrations were so cute!

I went with a brooch instead of a knot on the ties. Just experimenting! Still, I don't know if this whole look is for me. The two pieces felt a bit too conservative together or something.

It's faced, and I used boning in the facing to keep the skirt from buckling around the waist. I just extended the facing an inch in length (I don't like boning to end right at my waist because I've found it can leave a crease in the skirt fabric). I also put the boning casings on the inside of the facing (instead of on the side of the facing that touches the skirt), to reduce the chance of the spiral steel bones showing through to the right side of the skirt. I kind of like how the black casings look on the facing, but you could also use pretty ribbon or something.

The jacket and skirt are both lined in Radiance cotton/silk sateen, which I scored on eBay. I wasn't sure if it would be a good choice for lining, but it turns out I love it. It's substantial, easy to work with, and slippery against the skin, tights, and blouses.

I finished the lining hem off with some lace.

I will probably wear the jacket again, just not with the skirt. Could be cute with little denim pedal pushers or something, no?

The good news is that I loved the merino wool so much I bought five yards of it. A matching dress is in the making!

You feature boning, which made me think of your Craftsy Sew-retro sew-along, which leads me to BEG you to say when your next class will go up! PLEASE! (oh and i love the suit, totes not conservative, or at least, not on you!)

Ahhhh too cute! I really love the jacket, and I think it would be lovely with jeans or a contrasting skirt, but it's really hip with that red skirt, I promise you! Such a nice color, Gertie, and that brooch is off the chain. Not really sure what off the chain means, but your brooch is it!

I love the suit together, the cape shape of the jacket makes your waist look tiny. It you want to look less conservative, leave the jacket open and wear something insane like a leopard print top underneath!

This suit is so fresh-looking and lovely! I'm quite taken with the color of that merino fabric. This question may seem obvious, but do you know the best way to clean such wool? Is it possible to avoid dry cleaning?

Love the suit, and agree with others that your version is better than the pattern drawing. It's perfect for when you need to be a businesswoman, and I agree that the jacket will really put the snazziness on pair of capris.

The set is conservative when worn together, but I think the bold ties add a show-stopping kind of flair! It might be nice if you ever have to look more business-y than you do now, or have an event where you need to cover your tattoos.

If this is conservative, then I'm totally in =) It looks great both ways - although I do understand how you might waver on using it as a suit, since bolero-length jackets have always made me think twice... love, love, LOVE that high waist on the skirt <3 Beautiful job!

i love the skirt by itself! beautiful. jacket is gorgeous too but i'm just not a fan of the short jacket (personal fears coming out in that statement). beautiful construction--what an inspiration to a newbie!

WOW! I Love it - perhaps it's conservative to you but it'd be perfect for me (I teach environmental law) - wonderful work and Congratulations! I used Radiance too I buy from Mood and I do think it's a wonderful substantial lining.

I absolutely love it! Fantastic and Congrats, again!

P.S. I cycle alot and am too obsessed in general with Merino wool for jerseys. . .

I love the design, and the skirt suits you. But, to be honest, I think the jacket would look better if you piled your hair up on top, so you can see how the picture-frame neckline stands away from your neck and frames your head.

I think the way you style it is what makes it conservative or not. I like the tights, since the opaqueness gives it a little edge. Hard to tell in the pic what kind of shoes you have on, but it's my experience that the choice of shoes can change the look without changing anything else. I like both pieces together (and separately) so I say experiment with the accessories.

I'm currently sewing a skirt in a similar red wool and I'm loving the idea of black with it.

I didn't see conservative so much as " sexy, very feminine". That nice curve in the jacket is anything but boxy. And that awesome color begs to differ with any kind of boring old business day.Versatility is a good thing!You look amazing in that color and I know it must feel just amazing to be wearing it!Love Your Work!

Gorgeous! Although I agree with you about breaking the pieces up. Too often I find myself doing the same with skirts and matching jackets: otherwise it just feels more conservative than I tend to be style-wise. ;) Still, they're both beautiful pieces and fit you perfectly--I'm sure they'll get loads of use!

Oh Gertie, this is beautiful! You look amazing in it. I do not see conservative at all! I think violet said sexy and feminine, I agree. Yet still business. I prefer the two together, you wear it well. I cannot wear that style.

Really lovely outfit, you are so talented! I love how you've incorporated lace into the hem. The jacket is gorgeous and I think it looks so great with the brooch! Enjoy wearing it! XxxX http://thesecondhandrose.blogspot.com/